Policy Recommendations for Enhancement of the Dental Safety Net

In a recent article published in a special online issue the Journal of Public Health Dentistry, CDHP founder Dr. Burton Edelstein discusses policy alternatives to increase the available dental work force, especially in underserved areas, including changes to dental education, licensure, scope of practice for allied dental personnel, and federal and state financing of public insurance

Abstract:
The dental safety net includes the facilities, providers, and payment programs that support dental care for underserved populations including those individuals disadvantaged by a variety of social, economic, and health conditions. Its components-health centers, dental schools, clinics, Medicaid-oriented dental practices, free-care programs, hospital emergency rooms, and others-vary in availability, comprehensiveness, continuity,and quality.The objective of this overview is to identify options and opportunities for policy changes to enhance oral health professional workforce in the safety net.

To read the full report, click here. 
To read the full special issue of JPHD, available to the public, click here.